Bullhead City Council Regular Meeting - August 20, 2024

The Bullhead City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 1255 Marina Boulevard, Bullhead City, Arizona. All council members were present. The meeting opened with an invocation by Pastor George Lyman of Desert Shores Community Baptist Church and the Pledge of Allegiance. The council waived the full reading of ordinances and resolutions by a 7-0 vote, heard public comment, received the city manager's report and council reports, then acted on ten agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the minutes of the August 6, 2024 Regular Council Meeting.
• The council adopted Resolution No. 2024R-42 approving the issuance of bonds for the acquisition of the Joshua Springs Senior Assisted Living Facility, as limited by the resolution. Mayor DeMico clarified that the city is not issuing bonds; he described the item as an IRS formality for one company taking over another.
• The consent agenda as a whole was approved by one motion, recorded as six votes in favor in the transcript.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Penny Reichner, a long-time resident, thanked the city and the senior center for "getting it right" after 20 years and expressed support for the new senior enrichment center.
• Pamela Smith announced community events: a Reagan movie showing at Avi Theater on August 21 at 2 p.m.; the Colorado River Republican Women's monthly meeting on September 4; Constitution Week September 17-23; and the Daughters of the American Revolution America 250 Memorial unveiling on October 12.
• Tammy Lafon, a Bullhead City resident, caretaker, and business owner, raised allegations of discrimination and harassment involving the senior center and Kim Cool, alleging that a client was directed to shower at a children's splash park, that donations were being charged for, that she was followed by Kim Cool's husband, and that city staff refused to take her complaint. She submitted a complaint form to the city clerk.
• Brandy Shaw stated for the record that Tammy Lafon suffered a heart attack 30 minutes after leaving a meeting with City Manager Toby Cotter on May 24 and supported Lafon's community work.
• Tom Shanneman, a five-year resident, complained about noise and disruptive behavior from a neighboring Airbnb, said he felt targeted and harassed by Bullhead City Police Department responses, mentioned the 90 dB noise limit, and said he had lost his First and Second Amendment rights. He praised Rotary Park and Community Park.
• Donna Doyle, with the St. Organization, announced an expanded spay/neuter voucher program starting September 3 with discounted female spays: $40 for female dogs and $30 for female cats, while male vouchers remain $50.
• Harvey Pryor asked questions about utility department succession, code enforcement authority over large parking lots with potholes, and stated he would not file an ethics complaint against the mayor.
• Julie Hasse, president of Colorado River Concerts, announced the organization's 50th season, including concerts on November 21, February 4, February 27, and March 26, and highlighted its free student education outreach program.
• An unidentified commenter aggressively criticized the mayor and council, referenced a denied claim involving Councilman Littman's statements, and alleged stolen valor by City Manager Cotter. City Manager Cotter denied ever claiming to be a Vietnam veteran and said he was born during the Vietnam War.
• A commenter identifying as the founder and director of Arizona Veteran Canine Services said she had seen little support from the city in five years, criticized acceptance of donations for the senior center, questioned how BARC was formed, and said she helps prevent veteran suicide.
• A resident named Emily (as transcribed) complimented police improvements on the river, raised concerns about jet ski no-wake zone violations, glass bottles on the beach, and asked why the city does not have a water commission.

Manager's Report

• Caddisfly Suppression Program and River Clean-Up: City Manager Cotter reported that a low-flow river event was conducted the previous Tuesday at 3 a.m. with flows reduced to about 2,200 cubic feet per second. Riverbed and dock pilings were exposed for more than six hours during heat, with riverbed temperatures up to 97 degrees Fahrenheit and caddisfly mortality of 76 to 100 percent in test chambers. No trapped fish were observed. Community partners including Warmsea, Make Bullhead Better, Finley, the Chamber, Law Found River Tours, CERT, and city crews participated in a river cleanup. He also noted glass bottles remain a problem, especially at Davis Camp, while Community Park and Rotary Park enforce restrictions.
• Economic Development Projects: City sales tax collections grew 15.2 percent to over $23.5 million compared with the prior year. Projects highlighted included Mojave Crossroads, a new 60,000-square-foot warehouse on Laughlin Ranch Boulevard, Montana Ridge, North Fork, Circle K on Highway 95, Church's Chicken near Sam's Club, 161 lots by Century Complete in Rancho Colorado, 106 lots at North Fork, Chaparral Terrace, Mojave Community College dorms, affordable housing units including 28 on Have a Supai and 66 at Clearwater and Riviera, and a more than $10 million rebranding of the Grand Vista Hotel.
• City Payroll Conversion: Cotter said all employees have been paid and that the city converted from e-Suites/New World to NeoGov, a system used by more than 6,000 governments and agencies. He acknowledged mistakes during the conversion, said payroll issues were being handled by HR, and declined to comment on social media claims involving personnel or medical matters.
• 40th Anniversary Event: The city will celebrate 40 years of incorporation on Sunday, August 25, at Community Park with free park and ramada fees, music by DJ Loki and 80s tribute band The Spazmatics, jet ski and wakeboard shows, water slides, food trucks, a beer garden, and a free food pavilion at 5 p.m.

Council Reports

• A council member attended an ASU housing and water policy summit in Phoenix.
• A council member thanked volunteers for river cleanup and food bank distribution, reporting that 1,803 individuals, 620 families, and 3,000 pounds of food were served with donations from St. Mary's Food Bank in Phoenix.
• A council member highlighted veterinary services available through Cal Ranch and Tractor Supply via VIPPetcare.com for ZIP code 86442 and MEC Operation Cool Shade tree registration starting August 26.
• A council member encouraged attendance at the high school football opener Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Anderson Field House.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 — Liquor License Public Hearing: The council held a public hearing on the application by Jeffrey Craig Miller for a Series 6 (Bar) Liquor License Interim Permit and Owner Transfer No. 300782 for The Sand Bar at 1654 Highway 95. No public comment was offered. The council voted 7-0 to recommend approval to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
• Item 4 — S&S Concrete Slurry Seal Sand: Public Works Director Angie Johnson reported that bids were advertised July 8 and 15, opened July 24, with eight vendors downloading the package and one responsive bid from S&S Concrete and Materials, LLC. The contract is for up to 10,000 tons of Type II Slurry Seal Sand at $29.45 per ton, compared with $28.98 per ton last year, in an amount not to exceed $311,372. The mayor recused himself because he does marketing for S&S, and one council member abstained. The item was approved with five votes in favor.
• Item 5 — Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions: Bids were advertised July 8 and 15, opened July 31, with two bids received and Ergon the low bidder. The contract is for up to 1,700 tons of PMCQS-1h Asphalt Emulsion at $814.58 per ton, compared with $804.58 last year, in an amount not to exceed $1,384,788.89. The council approved the contract 7-0.
• Item 6 — Perco Rock Optimum Center Parking Lot Expansion: The council approved a $2,145,755 contract with Perco Rock Company for the Optimum Center Parking Lot Expansion. The project will create more than 400 parking spaces, move over 100,000 cubic yards of material, and include paving, curb and gutter, sidewalk, underground power, and retention ponds. Four bids were received, and completion is required by December 1, 2024. The council approved the item 7-0.
• Item 7 — Kay Constructors Well 24-2 Contract Ratification: Utilities Director Mark Clark explained that the new 24-2 well replaces an aging EPCOR well and that 10 EPCOR wells have gone out of service since the city took over the system. The council ratified the construction contract with Kay Constructors, LLC for $465,306.83. Water hauling to augment supply has cost about $50,000 per week for about two months. The council approved the ratification 7-0.
• Item 8 — Section 10 Water Reclamation Plant Aeration Basin #1 Improvements: The council approved a $190,000 professional engineering services agreement for design of improvements to an existing aeration basin. Staff estimated construction could cost around $3 million. The item was approved 7-0.
• Item 9 — Section 10 Water Reclamation Plant Third Clarifier Design: The council approved a $275,000 professional engineering services agreement with Morrison-Maierle for design of a third clarifier. Clark said the plant is expanding from 4 million gallons per day to 6 million gallons per day because of growth. The item was approved 7-0.
• Item 10 — Motorola Solutions: Police Chief Trebes requested approval of Motorola Solutions Quote No. 2566869 in the amount of $224,618.43 for Flex server and network management services, with an initial payment of $107,122.43 and payments of $58,748 in years two and three. He confirmed the system work is unrelated to public radio scanner access. The council approved the item 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• The waiver motion to dispense with full reading of ordinances and resolutions was adopted 7-0.
• The consent agenda, including the August 6, 2024 meeting minutes and Resolution No. 2024R-42, was approved by one motion.
• The council voted 7-0 to recommend approval of The Sand Bar liquor license application to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.
• Item 4 was approved with five votes in favor, with the mayor recused and one council member abstaining.
• Items 5 through 10 were each approved 7-0.
• The city manager was authorized to execute contracts, agreements, and resultant payments as specified in each item.
• No board or commission appointments were made, and no items were withdrawn from the consent agenda.